XVII Encuentro de Geógrafos de América Latina

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that the sources of anthropogenic CO2 emitted into the atmosphere are: fossil combustion 9.1 ± 0.5 Pg C y-1 and deforestation 0.9 ± 0.7 Pg C y-1. These emissions are deposited in two sinks: the atmosphere 5.0 ± 0.2 Pg C y-1 and the ocean of 2.4 ± 0.5 Pg C y-1. Therefore, the 2.6 ± 1.0 Pg C y-1 remnant must be fixed in the terrestrial biosphere, including inland waters (rivers, lakes, floodplains, etc.). In tropical latitudes, inland waters constitute an essential source of gases. Greenhouse effect that, later, evacuate into the atmosphere; For this reason, the research focuses on the Spatio-temporal quantification of the flows of these gases, with particular attention to the highest areas of two principal tributaries of the Amazon River, such as the Coca-Napo and the Pastaza.
Currently available georeferencing and geostatistics tools allow quantification to be characterized vertically and horizontally. The vertical quantification indicates the fluxes of CO2, CH4, and N2O towards the atmosphere. In contrast, the horizontal quantification allows studying the drag of organic and inorganic carbon downstream, by the current of rivers.
The first results of the field missions allow us to georeference 30 sampling stations distributed in the watersheds of the Coca and Napo rivers, which cover a distance of 225 and 164 km, respectively. These stations were selected based on the presence of tributary rivers and an altitude gradient of 250 m.a.s.l., both criteria were met with the use of a geographic information system.
The statistical treatment of the data indicates that CO2 fixed in the high areas or mountains is discharged in the foothills, below 500 m.a.s.l., mainly at the junction of the Coca and Napo rivers. Furthermore, it was found that the concentration gradient between water and air is always positive, which indicates that the river is continuously emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The quantification of carbon and its subsequent discrimination, based on its organic or inorganic origin, will allow a better understanding of the real impact of anthropogenic processes on global warming.